The Heart of GNRS 2026: Highlights from the ARP Booth
February 12, 2026
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
REDEEMING THE FORGOTTEN Y-BLOCK
When Ford introduced its Y-block engine in 1954, it labeled the engine the worthy successor to the venerable Flathead. The Flathead gained a loyal following of hot rodders and racers, but the big Cadillac overhead-valve V-8 and Oldsmobile’s Rocket 88 were stealing Ford’s thunder in terms of power, so something had to be done, and Ford decided to respond. The answer was a clean-sheet V-8 design, featuring overhead valves and improved cooling compared to the old Flathead. It was dubbed the “Y-block” because of the way it looked and because of its deep skirt and tall cylinder heads.
TEAM EFFORT
Vic, Jr. and his wife, Nancy, had been entertaining the idea of building a ’57 Chevy when they happened upon one of the most innovative builders around, Posies. It didn’t take long for them to strike up a conversation, and right then the plans were set into motion. While the challenges of being located on opposite sides of the country could have been a problem, teams Posies and Edelbrock were able to come together from the initial planning stages all the way through to the turn of the key and the first of many cross-country adventures.
Spotlighter
Truck Triumphs at the Triple Crown of Rodding 2023
Truck of The Year Winners for 2023 Sponsored by LMC Truck
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen & The Auto Builder Staff
In the world of rodding and customization, there are certain moments that stand out as big achievements—proof of how dedicated, creative, and skilled the builders can be. The first Triple Crown of Rodding show in 2023 is one of those moments, a big success that everyone in the car world will remember. It was organized by industry juggernauts, Bobby Alloway and Gary Case, and it brought together some of the best builders in the business, like Roy Brizio, Art Morrison, Troy Trepanier, Chip Foose, and Alan Johnson just to name a few! Car fans from all over the country came to the Nashville Superspeedway to celebrate automotive craftsmanship and meet the people who made these amazing cars.
Trucks have become highly coveted in the collector and custom market, as exemplified by their impressive showing at TCOR. LMC Truck sponsored the Truck of the Year award for three categories: 1972 and under, 1973-1987, and 1988-1998. Among the showcased vehicles, these three stand out as the absolute best: the recipients of the TCOR Truck of the Year Award.
The TCOR 2023 Truck of the Year: up to 1972
The TCOR 2023 Truck of the Year (up to 1972) was easily awarded to Rod Parsons. This 1967 Chevy C10 race truck with blinkers was built by ZRODZ and Customs of Knox, IN, along with Fiber Forged Composites. It’s a real monocoque body! Mr. Parsons also took home the Ringbrothers builders award from Mike Ring.
The TCOR 2023 Truck of the Year: 1973–1987
Ricky Holly’s 1979 unibody C10 Chevy “Lolita” won the TCOR 2023 Best Truck (73-87) category. Built by Dru Custom Designs along with Alamo Customs and MTI Automotive Designs.
The TCOR 2023 Truck of the Year: 1988–1998
LMC sponsored TCOR 2023 award winner for the Truck of the Year (88-98) is Chris Echel’s 1997 Chevrolet “OBS Killa” by BackYard Kustoms of Greenville, NC. His “styling concept” starts with Phantom wheels from U.S. Mags. This one had Gary Case grinning ear-to-ear.
What We Spotted at the LMC Truck Booth
With decades of experience in providing high-quality automotive parts and accessories for trucks and SUVs, LMC Truck is a renowned name in the industry. They cater to classic pickup restoration and modern truck enhancement needs, earning trust through their commitment to customer satisfaction and product quality. LMC Truck’s dedication extends to innovation, introducing cutting-edge upgrades, stylish accessories, and solutions for common maintenance issues, ensuring truck enthusiasts always have access to the latest advancements in truck technology and design.
Here’s a selection of products that we spotted at the TCOR show.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Manufacturer
LMC Truck
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